COMPANIES:Hassia USA combined all of its sales and service organizations under the new corporate name, IWKA Packaging USA.

Sato Corp. appointed J. Michael Fowler director of Sato Intl. Pte Ltd. as well as president of Sato Holding Americas, Inc.

Pro Mach has acquired the product line and certain assets of Mahaffy & Harder Engineering Co.

Sato announced a definitive agreement to purchase Checkpoint’s Bar Code Systems Business, with operations in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, including its hand-held labeling solutions in the U.S.

CompaniesAmpac Packaging has completed its acqusition of Kapak Co.

Kuka Robotics appointed Joseph Campbell director of strategic alliances for North America and Timothy Arndorfer southwest region account manager.

Sun Chemical Corp.

Pliant Corp. (Schaumburg, IL) appointed Edward Lapekas interim CEO.

Safeline Inc. (Tampa, FL) appointed George Louli (above) as director of marketing.

Adico Intl. (Adrian, MI) appointed Leo Riga (above) as regional sales manager, North America for its Packaging Products Div.

–Kisters Kayat (Edgewater, FL) hired Michael Brancato as vp, sales and marketing.

–Cargill Dow LLC (Minneapolis, MN) opened a global-scale mfg. facility to make its commercial-grade plastic resins from annually renewable resources.